Changes in Motor Activity and Anxiety Levels of Rats of Different Ages Upon Blocking Monoamine Oxidase-B

With age, there is a gradual decrease in motor activity in humans [1] and animals [2]. This is based on a whole list of natural causes: functional deterioration of blood circulation especially in the microcirculatory channel, decreased mobility of joints, decreased level of metabolic processes other age-related changes [3], hypodynamia and hypokinesia [4], senile loneliness [5] increase their influence. One of the most important factors of age-related suppression of motor activity is not only a decrease in the functional capabilities of muscles, but also in the plasticity and general functional capabilities of the central nervous system and its peripheral departments [6, 7]. Psychoemotional, cognitive age-related changes and disorders are essential [8]. It should be noted that age-related changes are characterised by a decrease in stress tolerance, an increase in anxiety and worry, and the development of prodepressive manifestations [3]. The dopaminergic system is of significant importance in all the above changes [9, 10]. Undeniable suppression of the activity of the dopaminergic system is shown in senile dementia, Parkinson’s disease [11] in a number of other diseases [10]. The question of involvement of the dopaminergic system in senile changes remains debatable and the role of monoamine oxidase and central dopamine [12, 13], including in the age-related increase in the anxiety level of a conditionally healthy person, is particularly ambiguous. In connection with the above-mentioned, the following objective was set in the present study: to determine the changes in motor activity and anxiety level in 7-month-old, 12-month-old and 24-month-old rats when MAO-B was blocked.